Fraser Photinia (Red Tip Photinia)
Photinia x fraseri · Evergreen, Broadleaf, Small Tree/Large Shrub
Plant Family
Rosaceae
Tree Category
Ornamental, Flowering, Privacy Screen
Variety / Cultivar
Standard 'Red Robin' or original Photinia x fraseri
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 7-9
About This Tree
A popular, dense evergreen ornamental with a rounded, multi-stemmed habit. Most recognizable for its bright red new foliage that transitions to dark green. At maturity, it forms a large billowy mass or can be limb-ed up into a small tree form. It produces massive clusters of white flowers that have a distinct, pungent scent.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, alternate, 3-4 inches long, oval to oblong shape with finely serrated margins. Texture is leathery and glossy. New emerging leaves are vivid bronze-red, maturing to a dark lustrous green.
Bark Characteristics
Grayish-brown and relatively smooth on younger stems, becoming slightly fissured or scaly with age on the main trunks.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Hybrid of P. glabra (Japan) and P. serratifolia (China); developed in Birmingham, Alabama
Growing Season
Year-round evergreen. Brilliant red new growth appears in early spring. Flowers in mid to late spring. Fruits in late summer/fall.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun to Partial Shade (Full sun promotes the best red foliage color). Medium water needs; requires well-drained soil. Good drought tolerance once established.
Mature Size
10-20 feet tall and 10-15 feet wide. Fast growth rate (can grow 1-3 feet per year). Lifespan typically 20-50 years depending on disease pressure.
Special Characteristics
Highly valued for ornamental red spring foliage and white flower displays. Susceptible to Entomosporium leaf spot, which can cause significant defoliation in humid climates. Highly salt and pollution tolerant.
Wildlife & Ecology
Attracts bees and other pollinators during the spring bloom. Small red pome fruits provide food for birds in the fall/winter. Dense evergreen canopy provides excellent nesting habitat for songbirds.